Hi,
New to this community, but not quite as new to this situation. Finally realised it would be good to talk!
Just as an introduction, my partner was diagnosed with renal papillary cancer as an incidental finding in 2020. Had a partial nephrectomy, and all seemed well. Margins were clear, although narrow, and we thought we’d got it. A few small areas were also noted in his lungs, but unable to identify as small and not moving.
All good for about a year. First scan all good. Second scan, got phone call from surgeon asking if he felt well. Then came the devastating news that it had spread to lymph nodes and lung lesions had increased. Stage 4, treatable but incurable.
So we continued to be (possibly naively) optimistic. There are about 5 avenues of treatment. First line treatment failed after 8 months, and we have just found out that second line (immunotherapy) hasn’t worked.
On top of all this, things have taken a very sudden downward turn. We both got Covid about a month ago. My partner ended up extremely ill and hospitalised with a severe infection and fever. He’s been home for a week but is still really unwell, in pain and just wanting to sleep. Showing a lot of advanced symptoms, yet pre-Covid was doing ok. Hoping against hope that he’s just taking a while to recover, but also dreading the worst. Hence my decision to finally reach out here.
We have an appointment with oncologist in about a week to discuss plan of action.
Happy to have joined a supportive community with similar experiences.
Hi Eskay and welcome to the Community although I am sorry to hear about your partners diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis in the family can be such a stressful and challenging time but I do hope you will find the Community a safe place to get support and ask your questions.
I see that you have joined a few groups. These groups are safe places to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions or get support from family on the same journey.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on THIS LINK as this will take you to 'your' area on the community and to the groups you have joined.
Once you open a group page you can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go. You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
Macmillan have many support services so do check out the Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. These services provide cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear. We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and aim to give support to all the family.
Please do get back to me if you need further help.
All the very best.
